Stapling device and method



April 1939- E. R. POSNACK 2,153, 874

STAPLING DEVICE AND METHOD Filed Nov. 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet l 3INVENTOR I gig;

April 1939- E. R. POSNACK STAPLING DEVICE AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 6, 1936 cal/ April 11, 1939. R pos c 2,153,874

1 STAPLING DEVICE AND METHOD Filed Nov. 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet sINVENTOR April 11, 1939- E. R. POSNACK STAPLING DEVICE AND METHOD FiledNov. 6, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 1 H i /Z 5. 6 2 7% I% 7 2/4 /42?INVENTOR @7933 @w fifi m Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to stapling methods and machines for the sealingof containers made of corrugated board, cardboard and the like, forsecuring together several sheets of paper or other material, and fortackin wire-tying and binding purposes, and is intended primarily foruse in driving staples having either angulated or arcuate legs fortemporary fastening purposes.

In the commercial application of stapling or stitching methods, threegeneral classes of machines are employed, namely, (1) those that driveordinary U -shaped staples against an anvil underlying the work, (2)those that do not employ an underlying anvil, but that effect aclenching movement of the legs of the staple by deforming the top orcross bar thereof, and (3) those driving staples with arcuate legs andwith a substantially flat top, where the clenching operation iseffectuated without the use of an underlying anvil but by 20 means of arestricted outlet .at the baseof the machine and pivotally mounteddriving members embracing the staple at the upper corners thereof andprogressively actuating the legs of the staple inwardly during itsdownward course. 25 Machines of the first-mentioned class are notadapted for use in such cases where an underlying anvil cannot beinserted; and furthermore, the vertical disposition of the legs of thestaple results in considerable resistance to deflection upon 30 strikingthe anvil. Machines of the second class above mentioned require anappreciable force to deform the top of the staple during the clenchingoperation aside'from the force of penetration, and hence cannot beadvantageously used in many 35 instances; and furthermore, staplesemployed in the machines of this category are obviously difiicult toproduce and hence expensive, due to their rather complex configuration.And machines of the last class above mentioned are relatively 40intricate in nature, and must of necessity require considerable drivingefiortdue to the multiplepoint contact of the driving and clenchingmembers with the staple. It is for the purpose of overcoming theshortcomings and disadvantages of the methods and devices heretoforeemployed that this invention has been conceived, one of the severalobjects thereof being to enable a stapling operation to be performedwith a minimum of effort and a maximum of efliciency. so And it is alsowithin the contemplation of this invention to enable staples to bedriven into various kinds of work, with or without an underlying anvil,and to effect a drive with the employment of staples that are of simpledesign and relatively 5 inexpensive to fabricate.

A further object of my invention is to produce a staple thoroughlyembedded and countersunk in the work, and also to accomplish the desiredresult with the danger of buckling reduced to a minimum.-

It is another object of this invention to enable straight-leggedstaples, particularly those with divergentlegs, to be fed intothe deviceconsti tuting one of the several forms of this invention, and formedinto staples with angulated or arcuate legs either before orsimultaneously with the driving operation, thereby permitting the use ofinexpensive and easily fabricated staples to be employed in a mannerheretofore not possible.

And it is also within the contemplation of this invention to enable amachine to accomplish all of the above-mentioned functions at a low costby providing inexpensive and readily fabricated elements.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings andthe description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate staples of various forms andshapes adapted for use with this invention, all of the staplesillustrated having fiat tops and bent legs of either angulated orarcuate configuration.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary vertical sections of the machineconstituting one form of my invention, and a section of the work beingstapled, illustrating the relative positions of the prime co-v actingelements during a complete stroke or clenching cycle.

Figure 10 illustrates a fully clenched staple driven into two layers ofwork by the device and method of this invention, the stitch beingentirely embedded within the work, or blind, and the legs crossing eachother.

Figure 111s a view similar to Figure 10, showing 40 a partial clenchwith the terminals of the legs spaced apart.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figures 10 and 11', showing the legs ofthe staple protruding through the work to form a through stitch.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical side section of the deviceconstituting a special form of this invention for producing countersunkstitches, showing the plunger during its downward stroke, and aretractible anvil in its operative position.

Figure 14 illustrates the device of Figure 13 with the anvil in itsretracted position and thestaple fully driven.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary front view of the device of Figure 13 showingthe position of the parts Just before the retraction of the anvil,thestaple being shown embedded within the work.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary side section of a modified form of thedevice, containing no underlying anvil but having a front portionextending below the base of the machine to depress the work, the staplebeing shown in its driven position.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional front view showing anothermodification of my invention, the inwardly protruding deflecting elementbeing shown at the base of the machine, this view illustrating threedifferent positions of the staple during the driving cycle.

Figure 18 illustrates still another form of this invention,substantially similar to that shown in -Figure 17 except that a centralretractible guiding element is positioned between the legs of the staplenear the base of the machine,-this view showing two positions of thestaple during the driving operation.

Figure 19 illustrates a structure similar to that of Figure 17, exceptthat the machine is shown driving a staple with arcuate legs, and ananvil is shown underlying the work being stapled, this view showing twopositions of the staple during the stapling operation.

Figure 19a is a fragmentary side view of the device shown in Figure 19.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of Figure 19 taken alongline 2ll-2D.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary front sectional view of another form of myinvention showing vertically adjustable deflecting elements.

Figure 21a is a fragmentary side View of the device shown in Figure 21.

Figure 22 is a fragmentary vertical section of a modified form of myinvention showing inwardly protruding rollers as deflecting elements.

Figure 23 represents a strip. of U-shaped staples with diverging legsadapted for employment in a modified form of this invention.

Figure 24 is a fragmentary semi-diagrammatic front sectional view of amodified form of this invention adapted to deform a strip of staplessimilar to that shownin Figure 23 into an arrangement with angularlybent legs.

Figure 24a is a fragmentary semi-diagrammatic front view of the deviceshown in Figure 24, illustrating the position of the staple driving anddeflecting means with respect to the other elements of the machine.

Figure 25 is a sectional plan View of Figure 24 taken along line 25-25.-

Figure 26 is a semi-diagrammatic fragmentary front section of anothermodification of this invention illustrating the mechanism for deforminga single staple in a strip such as shown in Figure 23 into one havingangulated legs.

Figure 26a is a semi-diagrammatic fragmentary front section of thedevice shown in Figure 26 illustrating the position of the stapledriving and deflecting elements.

Figure 27 is a partial sectional plan of Figure 26 taken along line2|--2'l.

Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 27, showing the deformation of thesecond staple in the strip.

In the drawings, it will be noted that the method and machineconstituting this invention are adapted to employ various types ofstaples all having substantially flat tops, the staples 30, 3| and 32containing two-part angular le s of various lengths, the staple 33showing three part angular legs, staple 34 showing arcuate legs andstaple 35 showing inwardly angulated legs. Staples 30 to 34 inclusivemay be employed in any of the forms of the machine shown in thedrawings, Figures 7, 8 and 9 showing the employment of staple 30 in oneform of my invention.

The forward portion of the frame 36 of the machine contains the usualchamber 31 for accommodating the staple being driven and theconventional driving plunger 38. In the preferred form, the lateralWalls 39 and 40 of the said chamber contain, at a predetermined distanceabove the base of the machine, inwardly protruding portions ordeflecting elements 4| and 42. For best operative results the distancebetween these elements is no less than the width of the plunger, so thatthere is no operative engagement of the plunger with said elements. Thestaple is preferably so proportioned that the distance between theextremities 43 and 44 is substantially equal to the flat top portion 45of the staple; and the width of the plunger 38 is preferably no widerthan the said top of the staple.

In the operation of this device, the staple 30 is driven downwardly bythe plunger 38 from its inoperative position in any conventional manner.Inasmuch as the intermediate portions or junctures 46 and 41 of the legsof the staple are farther apart than the elements 4| and 42, they willslidably move against these elements and be deflected inwardly duringthat portion of the stroke that the legs are actually in contacttherewith. As the plunger continues on its downward stroke, the top 45of the staple will pass between the deflecting elements 4| and 42,--theinnermost points of said elements being spaced sufficiently apart topermit the top of the staple to move therepast,the legs of the staplebeing forced into the work 48 until the top of the staple issubstantially flush with the upper surface of the work. The points ofthe staples may, if desired, begin entering the work before any inwarddeflection takes place, and as further penetration is effectuated due tothe downward drive, the inward deflection continues within the materialuntil the clench is completed.

In the position illustrated in Figure 8, the staple is shown as partlyclenched, due primarily to the action of the deflecting elements 4! and42. If the material 48 should be of such quality as to offer very littleresistance to penetration,

' as in the case of very soft corrugated board, the

staple will remain clenched only to the extent indicated in Figure 8.Usually, however, the material does offer'some resistance, and willhence cause a further bending of the legs of the staple to form a closerclench, as is illustrated in Figure 9. It thus appears that in this formof my invention, the material being stapled coacts with deflectors 4|and 42 and the plunger 38 to perform the prime operative function of themachine. In fact, the resistance of the material can obviously be soappreciable, that the legs of the staple,-converging inwardly at theextremities thereof and confined by the lateral walls of the plungerchamber against spreading outwardly,--will be bent and clenched inwardlyby the action of the material alone, even if there were no deflectorspresent. Hence a machine of the general type above described, andwithout deflectors, is capable of coacting with a resisting material foroperatively driving and clenching staples with flat tops and angulatedor curved legs, particularly where the machine is provided with lateralabutments to prevent a spreading of the staple; and such a combinationis within the contemplation of my invention.

The depth of penetration and the ultimate position of the legs aredependent upon several factors, such as the degree of angulation orcurvature of the legs, the length of the various portions of the legs,the position of the deflecting elements 4! and 42 with respect to thebase of the machine, and the extent of inward protrusion of saiddeflecting elements. Thus it will be seen in Figure 10 that the legs 49are overlapping, and in Figure 11 that the legs 50 are spaced apart,bothof the staples shown forming a blind stltch,-the legs being entirelyembedded within the material. In Figure 12, however, a through stitch isformed, the legs extending through the material.

The various mechanical embodiments of this invention can be used eitherwith or without an anvil underlying the material being stapled.

Where an underlying anvil is omitted, as in Figures 7 to 9, theclenching operation is not dependent upon any member po: ii ionedunderneath the material to receive the protruding legs and bend themupwardly against the underside of the work, but is effectuated only bythe action of the inwardly projecting deflecting portions against thelegs of the staple as it is being driven downwardly under the action ofthe plunger. The inward deflection is further aided by the resistance ofthe material being stapled, which has the efiect of increasing theinward bending movement. In the-form of my invention above described,the buckling tendency is reduced to a minimum, inasmuch as there are norestricted portions positioned at the very base of the machine orextreme lowermost level of the plunger chamber, so that after the legspass the deflecting elements, they are free to penetrate and enter thematerial in accordance with their own tendency,directed by the inwardlydeflecting action of the members M and 52.

It will thus be seen that either a blind or a through stitch can beproduced without the aid of the usual underlying anvil, and without theuse of any moving parts except a conventional driving plunger, theresult being accomplished by stationary deflecting members coacting withthe plunger, the staple and the material being stapled. This, in theopinion of the inventor, is the only device ever conceived for driving aflattop staple without employing either an anvil underlying the materialbeing stapled, or laterally moving deflecting elements. The structureperforming the functions of this invention contains only a single movingelement in contact with the staple, and can hence be of exceedinglysimple design.

In order to produce a perfectly flat stitch with the top thereofabsolutely flush with the surface of the work, .the forms of myinvention illustrated in Figures 13 to 16 can be employed, thestructures shown disclosing a method of countersinking the stitch. Inthe structures of Figures 13, 14 and 15 a retractible anvil 52 isemployed at the base of the machine, the anvil containing a frontportion53 extending below the level of the base of the machine and underlyingthe outlet opening through which the staple 54 is driven by the plunger55. During the downward course of the plunger, the anvil is in itsforemost or operative position where it remains until the top of thestaple comes into engagement therewith. At this point, the hollowportion 56 caused by the downward pressure of the anvil, will be readyto receive the top of the staple the legs of which have penetrated intothe work. The anvil is then retracted to permit the plunger to continueits drive to press the top of the staple against the work and into thedepressed portion 56 to form a countersunk stitch. v

In lieu of a retractible anvil above described the modification showninFigure 16 may be employed, where the front portion 51 of the machineextends below the base thereof, so that upon an initial application ofpressure before or during the-drive, the hollow portion 58 is producedby the pressure of portion 51 to receive the top of the staple 59 drivenby the plunger 60 and thus form a countersunk stitch.

Although in the devices shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the deflectingelements ii and d2 are positioned above the base of .the machine, suchelements can also, within the contemplation of this invention, bepositioned at the extreme base or outlet portion of the machine, asshown in Figure 17. In this form of my invention the deflecting elementsEl and 62 are adapted to begin their deflecting action only when thejunctures 63 of the staple M reach the position at the base of themachine, the staple being shown maintained in a vertical plane by theguides or walls 65a and 66a. in conventional manner. It will be noticedin this structure that the distance between the terminals of the legs isless than the top of the staple, and that the legs begin penetrating thework before the junctures 63 come into engagement with the deflectingelements 6i and 62. This arrangement is effective in producing either arelatively shallow stitch or one with a greater deflection of the legs.It is understood, however, that the proportions of the legs as shown inthis figure, as

well as in others illustrated, is merely a preferred arrangement, andcan be modified in accordance with design requirements.

In Figure 18 is shown a structure wherein the deflecting elements 65 and66 are also positioned at the base of the machine, the device being inthis case provided with the horizontally disposed retractible guidemember 61 positioned between the deflecting elements to permit the legsof the staple 68 to pass therebetween. In this form of my invention, thelegs of the staple are reenforced during their downward movement againstlateral buckling; and furthermore, the element 61 serves as a guide forthe downwardly moving legs. In the'operation of this structure, theguide 61 remains in its foremost or operative position until the top ofthe staple is brought near its upper surface, whereupon it is retractedto permit the staple to be projected through the base of the machine andagainst the work.

In the devices hereinabove described, my invention has been shownemployed without the use of an anvil underlying the work. In Figure 19,however, is shown a-structure where the work 69 is positioned betweenthe machine proper and an underlying anvil 10. (See also-Figure 19a.)The staple H, shown as one with arcuate legs merely for the purposes ofillustration, is being driven downwardly by the plunger 12, the legs ofthe staple entering the material and being deflected inwardly by thedeflecting elements 13 and 14, until the terminal portions of the legspass through the material and strike the anvil 10 to be clenchedupwardly thereby against the undersurface of the work, as illustrated.One

of the advantages of such a construction over tional parallel leggedU-shaped staple is that it affords less resistance to clenching. In theconventional device, the legs strike the anvil practicallyperpendicularly, whereas in the device shown in Figure 19, the legs,during the downward drive thereof, are deflected inwardly, so that-theystrike the anvil l0 obliquely so as to reduce the frictional engagementagainst the anvil and thereby cause a reduction in stapling effort. Thisform of the invention is particularly adaptable for office staplingpurposes where the application of relatively little pressure to ef- Ifeet the stapling operation is obviously a decided advantage. underlyinganvil, a greater upward deflection is obtainable and a firmer stitchprocurable than is possible where there is not such an anvil equiv'alent to that identified by the numeral 10.

In the device of Figure 21, the deflecting elements l5 and 16 arevertically adjustable by manipulating the screws 11 and sliding the sidemembers 18 and i9 upwardly or downwardly to vary their position withrespect to framework 89 of. the machine, the recesses BI and 82 and theslots Tia permitting such slidable movement and adjustment. Inasmuch asthe position of the deflectors l5 and 16 are factors determining theultimate shape and depth of the stitch, this arrangement enables apredetermined adjustable setting for accomplishing these purposes, allwithin the contemplation of this invention.

In order to reduce the frictional resistance to the downward movement ofthe staples by virtue of their engagement with the deflecting elements,inwardly extending rollers 83 and 84 can be employed as deflectors asshown in Figure 22. As the staple 85 is downwardly moved under theaction of the plunger 86, the legs of the staple, in encountering thesaid rollers, will cause them to rotate, without in any Way reducing thedeflecting action thereof. With such a construction the frictionalresistance is obviously reduced, resulting in less stapling effort.

In the various forms above described, it will thus be seen that adeflection of the legs is effectuated by elements which are operativelystationary with respect to the machine, the only moving element being aconventional plunger, as aforesaid. As the staple progressively entersthe work, the staples are being bent inwardly towards each other to formeither a fully or partially closed clench, in accordance with thespecific design of the device. If, during the downward and lateralmovement of the legs, there is a plowing through of the material beingstitched, the entire top of the staple will cover any hole causedthereby inasmuch as the width 'of the top is substantially equal to theoutlet opening at the base of the machine, within the intent of thisinvention.

By employing this invention, or the forms thereof herein described, notonly can several sheets be stapled together, and containers made ofcardboard or other material be efliciently sealed, but various types oftacking operations can also be performed. A staple can be driven intosolid material, such as wood for example, to form a fully or partiallyclenched blind stitch, useful for attaching tags, securing window shadesto their rollers, attaching insulation or waterproofing sheets to wallboards or the like, and for other building purposes. And still anotheruse is for binding together a group of 'wires passed through themachine, or clamping Furthermore, with the use of an a wire to a flatsurface for producing window displays and the like.

In the practical application of this invention the staple can beinserted preformed as illustrated in the drawings above referred to.However, it is within the further contemplation of this invention toemploy straight-legged staples, particularly those having divergent legsas shown in Figure 23, a strip of such staples 8'! being inserted intothe machine and the legs bent into the required shape during or beforethe driving operation.

By referring to Figures 24 and 25, the strip of staples 81 is mounted onthe staple rail 88, a central die or bar 89 with angulated (or curved)lateral sides 90 and 9| underlying said rail and extendinglongitudinally of the machine and positioned intermediate the legs ofthe staples. The lateral forming dies 92 and 93, also extendinglongitudinally of the machine, are carried bya plurality of arms 94 and95 pivotally mounted at 96 and 91 respectively, the springs 98 beingpositioned between the said arms 94 and 95 and normally actuating themoutwardly. The slidably movable plunger or rod 98 is suitably attachedto the vertically disposed actuators 99 and I00 the lower terminals IMand I02 of which are adjacent the said arms 94 and 95 respectively andadapted for operative engagement therewith.

When the plunger 98 and consequently the actuators 99 and Hill areforced downwardly, the said extremities Ifll and H12 of the actuatorswill engage the arms 94 and 95 to cause an inward pivotal movementthereof, resulting in a corresponding movement of the dies 92 and 93 toproduce an inward bending of the lower portions of the legs of thestaple about the lateral sides 90 and 9| of the bar 89, therebyproducing angulated legs as shown by dotted lines in Figure 24. Theshape of the dies 92 and 93, particularly the forming faces I03 and I04thereof, are angulated in accordance. with the desired angle and shapeof the legs. The strip of staples 81 is constantly being urged forwardlyby any conventional spring feed mechanism such as the rotatably mountedspring I05 suitably associated with the strip in a manner not shown, butin accordance with conventional structures.

The structure of Figure 24 may also contain at the forward portionthereof driving and clenching means similar to those hereinbeforedescribed, these means being separately and independently operated afterthe staple forming operation has been completed. By referring to Figure24a, it will be seen that the independent plunger 38b, suitably operatedmanually or by any other independent means, is adapted to movedownwardly past the deflecting elements c and 420 near the base of thedevice. When the staples of the form similar to those shown in Figures 1to 5 are operatively inserted in the machine, the said plunger 3Bb andthe deflecting elements c and 420 will coact to drive and clench thestaple in the manner herelnbefore described.

The lateral forming dies, such as 92 and 93, can, within thecontemplation of this invention, be normally at a slight inclination tothe longitudinal axis of the machine, as indicated by the dot-dash linesA and B. If then these dies were actuated inwardly to bring them intoparallel relation to said axis and into operative engagement with thestaple strip, the staples would be progressively reshaped, from one endof the machine to the other. With this arrangement, less effort would berequired to reshape the staples into the required form than would benecessary where all the staples were reshaped simultaneously.

It is thus. apparent that the relatively inexpensive staples such as 81can be employed in this device whereby such staples are readilytransformed into those having fiat tops and bent or angulated legs,whereafter they are driven by a suitable driving plunger in the mannerhereinbefore described.

In Figure 26 is shown a mechanism similar to that of Figures 24 and 25,except that a single staple of the strip is deformed, and simultaneouslywith the driving operation. The dies I06 and Hill are pivotally mountedat I08 and I09 respectively, the arms'of these dies being normally urgedoutwardly by the springs II II and The die actuators H2 and H3 containthe cams IM and H5 which, upon the downward movement .of the saidactuators, engage the said dies to move them inwardly and bend the legsof the staple H6 about the lateral sides of the central die or bar III,in a manner similar to that described with reference to the structure ofFigure 24.

The manually or power operated lever H8, affixed to the shaft H9suitably mounted on the machine, causes a rotation of the shaft duringits operative movement, thereby actuating the two cause an operativeinward movement of the forming dies I05 and IN to reshape the legs ofthe adjacent staple; and after the cams H4 and H5 of the said actuatorshave completed their operative engagement with the said dies, the camI23, during the continued operative rotation of shaft H91, actuates theplunger I24 downwardly to effect its driving operation in a mannersimilar to that hereinabove described, the staples IIB being deflectedinwardly by the members lld and Md.

The position of the forming dies I06 and I! may, if preferred, be in theplane of the plunger at the front of the machine to engage the foremoststaple, as shown in Figure 27. After the staple is deformed the springsIII] and III force the dies I06 and I III outwardly out of the path ofthe plunger, the bar II! is slightly retracted, in a manner to behereinafter described, and the plunger, during its downward drive asabove described, continues its operative engagement with the staple I3I.Thereafter the parts are retracted to their normal inoperative positionsby the springs I32 and I33 mounted on the shaft H9 and affixed to theyoke I22.

If desired, the dies "Mia and IBM, similar to those identified by thenumerals I06 and I01,

1 can be positioned adjacent and in the plane It should be noted that inthe claims hereinafter set forth, the term bent legs is employed todenote legs of both angular and arcuate configuration containing anintermediate portion out of the vertical plane through the upper cornersat the extremities of the top of the staple.

What I claim is:

1. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs, a plunger adapted for operative engagement withthetop of the staple, and two oppositely posi-.

tioned deflecting elements positioned above and in spaced relation tothe work to be stapled and interposed in the path of the legs of thestaple for engagement therewith to operatively deflect the legs duringthe downward movement of the staple.

2. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs, a plunger adapted for operative engagement withthe top of the staple, and two deflecting elements positionedabove thework to be stapled and interposed in the path of predeterminedintermediate portions of the legs .of the staple for engaging saidportions to operatively deflect the legs during the downward movement ofthe staple, the plunger being free throughout its stroke from operativeengagement with the deflecting elements.

3.- In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyfiat top and bent legs, a plunger adapted for operative engagement withthe top of the staple, and two deflecting elements positioned above andin spaced relation to the work to be stapled and interposed in the pathof predetermined .intermediate portions of the legs of the staple forengaging said portions to operatively deflect the legs during thedownward movement of the staple, said deflecting elements being out ofthe path of the terminals of the legs.

'4. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions,9. plunger of a width no greater than said top of the staple and adaptedfor operative engagement therewith, and two fixed deflecting elementspositioned above and in spaced relation to the work to be stapled andinterposed in the path of said intermediate portions of the staple forengagement with the outer surfaces thereof to operatively deflect thelegs inwardly during the downward movement of the staple.

5. In a stapling machinefor driving a staple having a substantially flattop and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple, andtwo deflecting elements positioned above and in spaced relation to thework to be stapled and interposed in the path of said intermediateportions of the staple for engagement with the outer surfaces thereof tooperatively deflect the legs'inwardly during. the downward movement ofthe staple, the plunger being free throughout its stroke from operativeengagement with the deflecting elements.

6. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyfiat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions,a. plunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple,a chamber for accommodating the plunger, and two deflecting elementsextending inwardly from the lateral walls of the chamber and in spacedrelation to the plane of the base of the machine, said elements beinginterposed in the path of said intermediate portions of the staple forengagement with the outer surfaces thereof to operatively deflect thelegs inwardly during the downward movement of the staple, the distancebetween said elements being no less than the width of the plunger.

7. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger with a flat driving surface adapted for operative engagementwith the top of the staple, a chamber for accommodating the plunger, andtwo laterally immovable oppositely disposed deflecting elementsextending inwardly from the lateral walls of the chamber and interposedin the path of said intermediate portions of the staple for engagementwith the outer surfaces thereof to operatively deflect the legs inwardlyduring the downward movement of the staple, said deflecting elementsbeing out of the path of the terminals of the legs and in spacedrelation to the work to be stapled.

8. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger with a flat driving surface adapted for operative engagementwith the top of the staple, and two stationary deflecting elements inspaced relation to the plane of the base of the machine and interposedin the path of said intermediate portions of the staple for engagementwith the outer surfaces thereof to operatively deflect the legs inwardlyduring the downward movement of 'he staple.

9. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bentlegs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple, achamber for accommodating the plunger, and two stationary deflectingelements in spaced relation to the plane of the base of the machine andextending inwardly from the lateral walls of the chamber and interposedin the path of said intermediate portions of the staple for engagementwith the outer surfaces thereof to operatively deflect the legs inwardlyduring the downward movement of the staple, the path of the plungerbeing free throughout its stroke from the deflecting elements.

10. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple, andtwo stationary deflecting elements positioned substantially at the levelof the base of the machine and interposed in the path of saidintermediate portions of the staple for engagement with the outersurfaces thereof to operatively deflect the legs inwardly during thedownward movement of the staple, said deflecting elements being out ofthe path of the terminals of the legs.

11. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legswith outwardly extending intermediate portions, 9.plunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple,two. vertically adjustable and laterally immovable deflecting elementspositioned above the work being stapled, and means to lock said elementsin predetermined positions with respect to the base of the machine, thesaid elements being interposed in the path of the legs of the staple forengagement therewith to deflect them inwardly during the driving stroke.

12. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple, achamber for accommodating the plunger, two vertically movable sidemembers slidably engageable with the lateral walls of the chamber, meansto hold said members locked in predetermined position, and a deflectingelement extending inwardly from each of said members a distancesuiflcient for their engagement with the legs of the staple during thedriving stroke to operatively deflect said legs inwardly.

13. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple, andtwo revolvable deflecting elements positioned above the work to bestapled and interposed in the path of said intermediate portions of thestaple for engagement with the outer surfaces thereof to operativelydeflect the legs inwardly during the downward movement of the staple.

14. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, aplunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple, achamber for accommodating the plunger, and two rollers extendin inwardlyfrom the lateral walls of the chamber and interposed in the path of saidintermediate portions of the staple for engagement with the outersurfaces thereof to operatively deflect the legs inwardly during thedownward movement of the staple.

15. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having bent legs withoutwardly extending intermediate portions, means for reshaping divergentstraight-legged staples fed into the machine into those with legs of therequired bent configuration, including a staple fail for operativelysupporting a strip of said straight-legged staples, coacting bendingdies operatively engageable with the inner and outer surfaces of thestaple legs, and means for actuating the dies into operative engagementwith said legs,

16. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having bent legs, meansfor reshaping straightlegged staples fed into the machine into thosewith legs of the required bent configuration, including a staple railfor operatively supporting a strip of straight-legged staples, a centraldie positioned between the legs of the staples and engageable withintermediate portions thereof, two lateral dies positioned outside ofthe staples and having portions engageable with the lower portions ofadjacent staple legs, and means for actuating the lateral dies towardsthe central die whereby the staple legs therebetween are bent inwardly.

17. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having bent legs withoutwardly extending intermediate portions, means for reshaping divergentstraight-legged staples fed into the machine into those with legs of therequired bent configuration,

including coacting bending dies operatively engageable with the innerand outer surfaces of adjacent staple legs, a plunger for operativeengagement with the top of an underlying staple and actuating meanscoactively connected with said dies and said plunger, the said diesbeing brought into operative engagement with said legs to produce a bentconfiguration thereof, and the plunger driving the said underlyingstaple downwardly; and two deflecting elements positioned above the workbeing stapled and interposed in the path of the legs of the foremoststaple for engagement therewith to deflect them inwardly during thedriving stroke.

18. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having bent legs withoutwardly extending intermediate portions, means for reshaping divergentstraight-legged staples fed into the machine into those with legs of therequired bent configuration, including a central die positioned betweenthe legs of the staples and engageable with intermediate portionsthereof, two lateral dies positioned outside of the staples and havingportions engageable with the lower portions of adjacent staple legs, aplunger for operative engagement with the top of the foremost staple,actuators engageable with the lateral dies for moving them towards thecentral die whereby the staple legs therebetween are bent inwardly, andmeans coactingly connected with said actuators and said amas /4 plungerthe said dies being adapted to be brought into operative engagement withsaid legs to produce a bent configuration thereof, and the plumeer beingadapted to'drive the said foremost staple downwardly; and twodeflectingelements positioned above the work being stapled and interposed in thepath of the legs of the reshaped foremost staple for engagementtherewith to deflect them inwardly during the driving stroke.

19. In a method of stapling, providing a strip of staples with straightlegs, bending the legs of a series of staples to form outwardlyextending intermediate portions while applying driving force to the topof the foremost reshaped staple of said strip, and forcing the legs ofthe staple being driven towards each other by engaging said intermediateportions thereof during the downward movement of the latter staple.

20. In a stapling machine for driving a staple having a substantiallyflat top and bent legs with outwardly extending intermediate portions, a

plunger adapted for operative engagement with the top of the staple, andtwo revolvabledeflecting elements positioned above the work to bestapled and interposed in the path of the legs of the staple forengagement therewith to deflect them inwardly during the downwardmovement of the staple.

EMANUEL R. POSNACK.

